Crypto-fascism

Crypto-fascism is when a party or group secretly adheres to the doctrines of fascism while attempting to disguise it as another political movement. It can also refer to an individual who admires or desires fascism, but keeps this admiration hidden to avoid social persecution or political suicide. The term is in a similar vein to crypto-Judaism or crypto-Christianity, referring to the secret practice of one faith while adhering to another religion publicly.

Origins

The term is mainly credited to Gore Vidal. During a television interview during the chaos of the 1968 Democratic National Convention, Vidal described William F. Buckley, Jr. as a "crypto-Nazi" and later corrected himself as meaning to describe him as a "crypto-fascist". The term has been used frequently in Gore Vidal's literature and by others, including Vidal's adherents.

According to several sources at the time, including Esquire Magazine, Buckley's response to the term was, "Now, listen you queer, stop calling me a crypto-Nazi or I'll sock you in the goddamn face, and you'll stay plastered."

Revival

In America, the term crypto-fascist has been revived by some critics to describe the neoconservative movement, especially in reference to various national security measures taken after the September 11th attacks.

Also, Catholic paleoconservatives such as Patrick Buchanan and Antonin Scalia have been labeled as such by libertarians who are opposed to government interference in private sexual behavior.

In popular culture

In the episode Timeslides of the British comedy series Red Dwarf, Lister travels back in time to see himself when he was seventeen. Throughout the encounter his former self refers to practically everything as 'crypto-fascist'.

External links

• Political Animals: Vidal, Buckley and the ’68 Conventions - Page dedicated to the debate in which the crypto-Nazi statement was made by Gore Vidal. Sound files available.